If you’ve put up a hummingbird feeder in hopes of attracting tiny, glittering hummingbirds to your yard, you may be dismayed to find your feeder overrun by bees instead. While hummingbirds are docile and entertaining to watch, a feeder full of bees can be alarming. This common problem has a simple cause and many easy solutions.
Why are bees attracted to hummingbird feeders?
Bees, especially honey bees, are strongly attracted to the sugar-water mixture (sucrose solution) in hummingbird feeders. They love the taste of the sweet nectar and will eagerly seek it out as a carbohydrate source. Hummingbird feeders provide an artificial nectar source that is irresistible to hungry bees.
In addition, bees recognize flower colors and shapes. Many hummingbird feeders have brightly colored red or yellow “flowers”, which attract bees looking for nectar sources. The feeding ports also mimic flower shapes, further drawing in bees.
Types of bees found at hummingbird feeders
Several different bee species may visit your hummingbird feeder, including:
- Honey bees – Recognizable by their fuzzy golden/brown stripes. Honey bees are not very aggressive.
- Bumble bees – Large and fuzzy, often with black/yellow or white/yellow stripes. Docile unless provoked.
- Carpenter bees – Shiny black/dark blue, resemble flies or wasps. Mostly non-aggressive.
- Yellowjackets – Black and yellow stripes, smooth appearance, very narrow waists. Can be aggressive.
- Paper wasps – Long dangling legs, black and yellow colors, skinny waists. Tend to be mildly aggressive.
While most bee species will not bother you if you are refilling or moving the feeder, yellowjackets and wasps are more defensive and likely to sting if they feel threatened. Exercise caution if you see these types of bees at your feeder.
Why are bees a problem?
An influx of bees can make refilling and cleaning your hummingbird feeder difficult. The presence of bees will also deter hummingbirds from approaching the feeder to drink. Hummingbirds are easily frightened by bees and will avoid feeders with bee activity. In addition, bees can consume nectar quickly, draining your feeder faster and requiring more frequent refills.
Stinging by defensive bees is also a concern, especially for those with bee allergies. Yellowjackets, wasps, and honey bees will sting to protect a food source. Multiple stings, or even one sting in the case of an allergy, can be medically serious.
Tips to discourage bees
Luckily, there are several effective methods to deter bees from your hummingbird feeder and make it more attractive to hummingbirds. Following these tips will restore the balance and allow hummingbirds to feed again:
1. Move the feeder location
Find a new site for your feeder that is farther away from flowering plants, trees, or bee nesting areas. Bees gravitate towards nectar sources near their hives or nests. Placing your feeder at least 5-10 feet away from flowers or nesting areas helps discourage bees looking for a quick meal.
2. Use bee guards
Attach plastic bee guards to your feeder ports. These allow access for hummingbird tongues but block bees. Look for guards with small slits or holes sized for hummingbirds. Bee guards physically hinder bees from reaching the nectar.
3. Choose red feeders
Hummingbirds are specially attracted to red. Opt for a vibrant red feeder, which will be less appealing to bees. Do not use yellow feeders, as yellow attracts bees.
4. Use a feeder with perches
Bees cannot perch and feed. A feeder with perches allows hummingbirds to feed easily but makes access difficult for heavier bees. The hovering required to feed will discourage bees.
5. Skip fragrance oils
Avoid using fragrance oils or artificial scents in your nectar mix. These attract bees, while hummingbirds locate feeders by vision, not smell.
6. Move feeder into sunlight
Hummingbirds are active in sunlight, while bees prefer shade. Placing your feeder in direct sun may reduce bee visitors.
7. Use a feeder with ant moats
Ant moats are water-filled bases that surround the feeder ports. Bees and wasps dislike landing on water to reach the food source and will search for easier options.
8. Choose a saucer-type feeder
Flat-bottomed saucer feeders limit bee access compared to upright feeders. Saucer feeders also work well with ant moats to further impede bees.
9. Don’t use leaking feeders
Leaky feeders allow nectar to drip below the ports, creating easy access for bees. Use a feeder that seals tightly so nectar stays inside.
10. Clean frequently
Wash your feeder thoroughly every 2-3 days. Bees are attracted to old, fermented nectar while hummingbirds prefer fresh mixes.
Nectar mixes that discourage bees
Certain nectar recipes are less appealing to bees. Alter your ratio of sugar to water or try these alternate mixes:
- 1 part sugar to 5 parts water – Bees prefer 1:4 ratio.
- 1 part sugar to 6 parts water – Too dilute for bees.
- Add a pinch of salt – Salt lowers sweetness.
- Substitute honey for 40% of white sugar – Honey has trace nutrients bees don’t require.
- Use cane sugar instead of beet sugar – Bees seem to find cane sugar less enticing.
Avoid corn syrup, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners, as these will still attract bees.
When to call a professional
In most cases, the above tricks will successfully reclaim your feeder for hummingbirds. But if you have a severe bee infestation that persists despite your efforts, you may need professional help. Signs that it’s time to call a bee removal expert include:
- Presence of aggressive bee species like yellowjackets.
- Getting stung repeatedly when near your feeder.
- Seeing evidence of a large bee hive/colony on your property.
- Bees still overwhelm your feeder after 2 weeks of trying methods to exclude them.
Bee removal services know how to efficiently and safely eliminate bee hives and redirect bees away from your yard. They can remove hives from buildings and trees and install bee traps or targeted pesticides when necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Will changing the nectar recipe keep bees away completely?
Probably not. Bees are clever and will still investigate any nearby sucrose source. Altering sugar ratios or ingredients may help reduce bees, but some bees will likely still find the feeder. For best results, combine nectar changes with physical deterrents like bee guards.
Do hummingbirds eat bees?
No. Hummingbirds rely on nectar as their sole food source. They do not eat insects or bees. The presence of bees will deter hummingbirds from approaching a feeder rather than attract them.
Will bees hurt my hummingbirds?
Bees are not generally aggressive towards hummingbirds. The two species will avoid confrontation when possible. Bees may occasional chase a hummingbird away from a feeder, but direct attacks are very rare. The main issue is bees scaring hummingbirds away from the feeder.
Why are there so many bees this year?
Environmental conditions like rainfall, temperature, and availability of wildflowers can cause bee populations to fluctuate yearly. Some years see natural increases in bee numbers, leading to more issues with feeders. Excluding bees consistently will help populations decline again.
Can I simply kill the bees at my feeder?
We do not recommend killing bees as they are important pollinators. Filling your yard with pesticides or soapy water risks also contaminating hummingbirds and other wildlife. The best solution is using selective deterrents to redirect bees away from your space.
Should I take down my feeder temporarily?
You can, but it’s not usually necessary. Adding good bee deterrents allows you to keep the feeder up and regain use by hummingbirds. Taking down the feeder means hummingbirds will temporarily lose an important food source.
Conclusion
Finding your hummingbird feeder overrun by hungry bees is problematic but solvable. Do not allow bees to discourage you from feeding hummingbirds. Strategic feeder placement, physical barriers, and modified nectar mixes make it possible to enjoy both bees and hummingbirds without conflict. With a few adjustments, your feeder will once again become a safe, bee-free haven for tiny hummingbirds.
